Paint striping apparatus



April 16, 1951 A. L. WELLS PAINT STRIPING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July '7, 1948 u m v m w Ill 4.5"" n .1 v m v, 1 ,7 Y W 4 1 gVIII/l5;

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Aprrifi w, 1951 A. L. WELLS PAINT STRIPING APPARATUS p. ham/67* [22/15 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 7, 1948 Patented Apr. 10, 1951 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 2,548,456 PAINT STRIPING APPARATUS Arthur L. Wells, DesPlaines, Ill.

Application July 7, 1948, Serial No. 37,446

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates in general to striping devices particularlyadapted for use in applying painted stripes to wall boards for thepurpose of simulating tile.

In recent years it has become increasingly popular to manufacture wallboard wherein squares are painted thereon and then applied to the Wallsof kitchens and bathrooms to make the walls appear like tile. Wallboard, when used in this manner, is considerably less expensive than theactual tile; and for this reason, it has become quite popular. Stillmore recently, various other types of designs of wall board havingstripes painted thereon have come into use wherein the stripes may beall vertical or all horizontal.

Providing this wall board with painted stripes has been an expensiveconsideration in the manufacture thereof; and it is, therefore, one ofthe Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedform of paint dispensing device for applying the paint and striping wallboard or other similar types of material] A further object of theinvention is to provide an improved type of striping device which isautomatically operated to dispense paint and stripe the board at theproper time and to automatically stop supplying paint when an individualboard has been fully striped.

- Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whichis adapted to have mounted thereon a .plurality of the individualstriping devices in a plurality of banks or batteries wherein each ofthe banks or batteries of devices may be supplied with a differentcolored paint.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein aplurality of banks of striping devices may be mounted thereon, andwherein each bank of devices may be differently operated as amongthemselves whereby different designs and difierent sized squares can beproduced automatically.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide animproved type of striping device per se which is mounted on theapparatus to ride over a board being moved thereunder, and wherein thecontact of the striping device with the board will automatically causepaint to flow and will also automatically stop the flow of paint afterthe device is out of contact with the board.

Other objects of the invention will appear more device illustrated inFig. 1

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary and somewhat diagrammatic plan view of anapparatus employing a plurality of the devices shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the plane of line 44 ofFig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the plane ofline 55 of Fig. 3.

Briefly described, the invention embodies a novel'type of stripingdevice which is adapted to dispense paint onto Wall board or the like asthe board is moved under the device which itself remains stationary. Inmanufacturing wall board for the purpose of simulating tile, it iscustomary to provide grooves in one surface of the board, which groovesare painted one color to set off the simulated tile squares, and thesquares themselves are painted a different color. The device of thisinvention is to apply the stripes for setting off the squares and tosupply paint to the elongated grooves already present in the board. Eachseparate device is automatic in its operation so that it will start andstop the flow of the paint at the proper time.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and more specifically toFigs. 1 and 2, the deviceper se comprises a main body portion I whichhas a pair of side members 2 extending forwardly from each side thereof.These side members are preferably formed of thin sheet metal and. may besecured to the body I by means such as screws or rivets 3. V q

The paint dispensing portion of the device is positioned at the forwardend thereof and is generally indicated by the number 4. The paintdispensing portion includes a body 5 positioned between the side members2 and mounted for pivotal movement on a pin or rod' 6 extending throughthe body 5 and between the side members 2. The body is thus permitted alimited pivotalmovement in a substantially vertical plane.

. 3 the front end of the body 5 and has its forward end bent downwardlyand rounded so that it will spread the paint evenly within the groove,the paint having previously been supplied thereto by means of thedispensing tube 9. The tube 9 is removably mounted at the forward end ofthe body 5 between the guide rod 7 and the spreader arm 8 therebyinsuring that the device will be guided properly in the groove and thatthe paint supplied through the tube 9 will be spread evenly within thegroove by the spreader arm 8.

The main body i has a substantially vertically disposed opening Illtherethrough. A smaller ope ing or passageway H communicates at one endwith the opening H3 and is inclined downwardly and forwardly toward theforward end of the body 1. A tubular member l2 threadedly engages anenlarged portion of the passageway H at the forward end thereof so thatthe opening I3 therethrough communicates directly with the passageway H.A flexible tube i4 is secured at one 'endthereof to the tube l2 andcommunicates with the passage l3 therein, and its other end is fastenedto anothertubular member I 5 in the pivotally mounted bodyfi. The tubehas a passage therethrough communicating with a short passage 36 in thebody 5 which in turn communicates with the longer passage ll extendingforwardly and downwardly through the body 5. The passage i1 communicateswith the dispensing tube 9 so that paint within the opening l0 and underpressure will be forced through the passage H; flexible tube l4, passageH, and outwardly through the end of the dispensing tube 9.

A connecting member 18 threadedly engages the bottom of the opening illand has a valve seat [9 formed therein. A needle valve 26 is providedwhich has the bottom end thereof tapered to fit against the valve seat19 to prevent the flow of paint therethrough. The paint may be suppliedin any suitable manner through a tube 22 in communication with theconnection [8 from a suitable source of supply notshown V Theneedle'valve is normally in its lower position as shown in Fig. 2bearing against the valve seat 19 so as to prevent the flow of painttherethrough. I 1

The upper end of the opening or passage i8 is closed by means of thesealing gland 23,;but the valve 2!! extends through the gland 23 andupwardly through an opening 2 3 r in an arm 25. That portion of theneedle valve 20 above the gland 23 may be threaded to receive theadjusting nuts 26. A collar 21 is positioned between the adjusting nuts26 and the upper surface of the arm 25 to form a bearing surface so thatthe amount of movement or the distance through which the valve 26 ispermitted to move with respect to the valve seat l9 may be adjusted tosuit different types of paints and to control the flow of paint byadjusting the nuts 26.

The arm 25 isform ed so as to have a substantially fiat and horizontallypositioned rear portion 28 and a downwardly curved front portion 29. Therear end of arm 25 has a bracket 39 secured thereto having downwardlyextending arms 3| at each end thereof adapted to receive a pivot pin 32which is supported by a pivot block 33 mounted on the upper surface ofthe main body I. At this point, it will be clear that the arm 25 willhave a pivotal movement about the pin 32 in a vertical plane so thatwhen the arm 25 is in a lowered position, the valve 20 will be closed;but when the arm is elevated above its pivotal point, it will carry thecollar 21 upwardly with it and 4 the valve stem connected thereto so asto open the valve and permit the flow of paint.

The arm 25 is maintained in a normally lowered position by means of acoil compression spring 3 3 surrounding a vertically disposed rod 35.The lower end of the rod 35 is connected to a stop member 38 and passesthrough an opening 3'! through the arm 25. A collar 38 surrounds the rod35 and provides a bearing surface between the lower end of the spring.34 and the upper surface of arm 25. The upper end of the rod 35 isthreaded to receive an adjusting nut 35 whereby the compression ofspring 34 can be adjusted to determine the amount of pressure necessaryto elevate the arm 25 and thereby open the valve 20.

The forward end of the arm 25 has another rod as secured thereto, thelower end of rod 40 being threaded as at 5! for engagement with asuitable opening through the forward end of arm 25. The upper end (ifrod 40 has an enlargemerit or head 52 thereon, and a coilcompressionspring 63 surrounds the rod, bearing upwardly movement of this body willcause a similar upward movement of the arrh' 25 to thereby opeh thevalve and permit the flow of paint The threaded engagement of the rod 48witlithe arm 25 will'permit a certain amount of adjustment to be made,and the spring48 acts to'maintain the rod 48 in any position to which ithas been adjusted.

It is contemplated that a plurality of these devices may be mounted inspaced relation along the length of a supporting rodso that a groovedwall board may be moved underfthese batteries of paint dispensers tothereby paint a plurality of stripes simultaneously in one directionalong the length or width of such wall boardl The rear end of the mainbody I may have a semi circular recess"thefe'in so that a recessed cap64 may be secured thereto in" orderto fasten or mount the device oriarod 45. I j

Some'or an of these devices'may be elevated and held out of contact withaboard passing thereunder if so desired. 'They may. also be easilyadjusted toadequately taire care of boards having different thicknesses}In any event, the grooved board is caused to move in a longitudinal pathbeneath a plurality of. the dispensing evices all of which 'are'soadjusted that wheii'th board first Starts its evement, the reward edgethereof will came against the guide members T of each device and forcethe dispensing portion of the device, including the may 5, in an upwarddirection. When this part of the device is thus moved upwardly, it willcontact the lower end of rod 40 and carry it upwardly, which in turnwill also elevate the arm 25 against the force of the spring 34.. Thisupward movemerit of arm 25 will also carry with it the needle valve 2ethus lifting it on ofits seat is to thereby permit the flow ofpaintthrough the various passages above described. The paint will thusbe dispensed through the outer sea of the dispens'ing tube 9 arid willbe deposited in the groove in the board. The lower curved end of theguide rod '5 will rideinithe groove in the board,,and the spreader arm 8will also ride iii the groove to "spread theta-int along the sides ofthe groove which has 'justbeen, placed the'r' by the dispensing tube 9.After thie boar has completed its passage throughahe apparatus and hasbeen striped in one direction and after the rear end thereof has passedbeyond the dispensing part of the device, there will be no .fur-. thersupport for this part of the device; and it will; therefore, dropdownwardly. When this occurs, the spring 34 willv force the arm 25downwardly also and permit the valve to be closed thereupon preventingany further flow of paint.

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate a preferred manner in which the stripingdevice may be used. In thepresent instance, it is anticipated that thewall board has both vertical and horizontal grooves therein to simulatetile. It is, therefore, necessary to paint these grooves in both thehorizontal and vertical directions. For thehorizontal grooves andstripes, any suitable form of support may be utilized for moving thewall board beneath the various banks of paint dispensers. In the presentinstance, there is illustrated a pair of horizontally spaced anglemembers 46 mounted on a suitable framework 4?. The wall board 48 usuallyis manufactured in standard widths so that the supporting angles 46 canbe located a definite and predetermined distance apart. The wall board48 may then be placed on these supporting angles 46 and may be caused tomove beneath the paint dispensers by any suitable mechanism. Theparticular mechanism shown herein includes a drive chain 49 adapted tobe driven by the .sprockets 5S which in turn may be connected to anysuitable drive means not shown. One or two pusher devices in the form offingers 5| may be secured to the drive chain 49 and may be so located tocome against the rear edge of the board 43 and force the board forwardlyalong its supporting angles. The chain 49 will be caused to move so thatthe upper run thereof Will move toward the left as viewed in Figs. 3 and4. Thus, when r the board 48 is in place on its supports and the machineis set in operation, one of the fingers 5| will come against the rearedge of the board.

48 and move it toward the left beneath thepaint dispensers. v

One or a plurality ofbanks of striping devices may be mounted'on theframework of the apparatus above the board. .In the present instance,three such banks have been shown; but this is not intended in any way tobe a limitation either upon the number of banks or upon the number ofindividual devices included in any one bank. Each bank of devices mayinclude a diiferent colored paint for all the devices in the same bank.This is preferable and the usual manner of use. However, if it should bedesired that diiferent stripes extending in the same direction bedifierent colors,. then there could be different colored paint in eachof the devices in the same bank. These devices may be spaced in anydesired manner along the supporting rods 45. banks in a single operationso that those devices not in use can be elevated and secured in elevatedposition so that they will not contact the board as it passes through.

In order to speed the operation, it is preferable to provide pivotallymounted angle members 52 in horizontal alignment with the first supports46 beyond one end. thereof. Each of the angle supports 52 should bemounted for rotative movement so that at the time the board has beencompletely striped in one direction it may immediately drop downwardlyonto a second support for -movement in another direction so that stripescan be applied thereto in such other direction.

It .is preferable to handlethe board in this way by either dropping itdownwardly or elevating it out of the path of the next succeeding boardcoming through the machine. Otherwise, a next succeeding board could notbegin its run until thepreceding board had been completely striped andout of the way.

Any suitable form of mechanism can be utilized v for removing a boardwhich is striped from the It will not usually be desirable to use allpath of a succeeding board. In the present case, the supporting angles52 have been shown as being mounted upon pivot rods 53 suitablyjournaled in hearings on the apparatus and provided with an operatinghandle 54. Suitable connections can be had between the opposing angles52 so that when the handle 54 is operated to rotate one angle, then theother angle will rotate also. Fig. 5. illustrates on a somewhat enlargedscale the manner in which this part of the invention operates. The firstboard 48 will come to rest on the angles 52 after it has been completelystriped in one direction. The handle 54 willthen be operated to rotatethe angles 52 through substantially thuslallowing the board to dropdownwardly onto a support or table 55 positioned therebelow. The angles52 are then returned to their normal position and are ready to receivethe next succeeding board being striped.

The bottom table or support 55 may also be provided with angles 56 orthe board may drop downwardly directly on the table. In any event, asimilar motivating means in the form of a drive chain and sprocketarrangement 51 may be utilized for also driving the board in the other 4scribed to stripe the board in the other direction so that when the twostriping operations are completed, the result will be a wall boardsimulating tile.

It will be clear .that if it is desired to apply stripes in onedirection only, then one of the parts ofthe apparatus will be dispensedwith. It is believed clearfrom the foregoing descrip-' tion that theinvention provides a novel form of paint dispenser used for stripingpurposes which will operate automatically to start and stop the flow ofpaint at predetermined and proper times. The plurality of banks ofdevices provides for quick change over from one color to another thusproviding an economical way for applying stripes to wall board.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangements of partsfrom that disclosed herein without in any way departing from the spiritof the invention or sacrificing any of the attendant advantages thereofprovided, however, that such changes fall within the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

.1 claim:

1. A striping apparatus comprising a frame, a plurality of stripingdevices mounted transverse- 15 of said frame in substantially ahorizontal plane and in spaced relation, a support for a sheet ofmaterial to be striped, means for moving the sheet on the support belowsaid striping devices and in contact therewith, each striping device inits inoperative position having a leading portion normally resting in aplane below that of the surface of said sheet and adapted to be raisedby contact with said moving sheet and mean associated with each stripingdevice operative to start the flow of striping liquid therethrough andonto 76 the sheet when said forward portion is raised by 7 contact withthe sheet and operative to stop the flow when said forward portion islowered after the" moving sheet has moved away from beneath said forwardportion.-

2. A Striping apparatus comprising a frame, a plurality of stripingdevices mounted in spaced relation transversely of. said frame each ofsaid devices comprising a main body member having fluid passagestherethrough, valve means in said body member operable to start and stopthe flow of fluid, fluid dispensing means movable with respect to saidmainbody member and means operable in response to' movement of saiddispensing means to actuate said valve means, mean below saiddevicesformoving a sheet to be striped in contact with said'devices and meansoperatively associated with each said device to automatically start theflow of striping liquid onto the sheet when the sheet is contacted bysaid devices, said last named means also operating to stop the flow ofstriping liquid'after the sheet has passed said devices and the devicesare out of contact therewith.

3. A striping apparatus comprising a frame, a set ofstriping devicesmounted in spaced relation transversely of said frame, a second set ofstriping'devices arranged at an angle with respect to the first said setof devices each of said devices comprising a main body member havingfluid passages therethrough, valve means in said body member operable tostart and stop the flow of fluid, fluid dispensing means movable withrespect to said mainbody member and means operable in response tomovement of said dispensing means to actuatesaid valve means, means formoving asheet to be striped below said first set of devices and'incontact therewith thereby to apply stripes to the sheet in onedirection, and means-for moving the same sheet in a different directionbelow said second set or devices and in contact therewith after thesheet has passed said first set of devices, thereby to apply stripes tothe sheet in another direction.

- 4'; A striping apparatus comprising a frame, a set of striping devicesmounted in spaced relation transversely of said frame, a second set ofstriping devices arranged at an angle with respect to the first said setof device each of said devices comprising a main'body member havingfluid passages thereth'rough, valve means in said body member operableto start and stop the flow of fluid, fluid-dispensing means movable withrespect to said main body member and means operable in response tomovement of said dispensing means to actuat said valve means, means formoving a sheet to be striped below said first set of devices and incontact therewith, thereby to apply stripes-to the sheet in onedirection, means for moving the sheet-to a difierent level after it haspassed said first set of devices to remove it from the path of movementof the next succeedingv sheet, and means for moving the sheet in adifferent direction below said second set of devices and in contacttherewith at the said different level, thereby to apply stripes to thesheet in another direction.

5. A striping apparatus comprising a frame, a set of striping devicesmounted in spaced relation transversely of said frame, a second set ofstriping devices arranged at an angle with respect to the first said setof devices each of said devices comprising a main body member havingfluid passage therethrough, valve means in said body member operable tostart and stop the flow of fluid, fluid dispensing means movable withrespect to said main body member and means operable in response tomovement of said dispensing means to actuate said valve means, mean formoving a sheet to be striped below said first set of devices and incontact therewith, thereby to apply stripes to the sheet in onedirection, means for dropping the sheet downwardly to a lower levelafter it has passed said first set of devices to remove it from the pathof movement of the next succeeding sheet, and means for moving the sheetin a different direction below said second set of devcies and in contacttherewith at said lower level, thereby to apply stripes to the sheet inanother direction.

6. A striping apparatus comprising a frame, a striping device mounted onsaid frame, a leading edge of said striping device being disposed in thepath of an article to be striped and adapted to be raised when thearticle to be striped is moved into contact therewith, means for movingthe article to be striped into contact with said leading edge of saidstriping device, and means associated with said striping deviceoperative to start the flow of striping liquid therethrough and onto thearticle to be striped in response to the raising of said leading edge ofthe striping device by contact with the article to be striped andoperative to stop the flow of the striping liquid in response to thelowering of said leading edge when the article to be striped passes outof contact therewith,

ARTHUR L. WELLS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

